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My Fantastic Learning Experience with The Open University!

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Edited by Gill Burrell, Monday 30 March 2026 at 15:46

I am enjoying being a (volunteer) Study Buddy at the OU.  This consists of being a moderator on the English Forum. I have posted some 'Events' and started discussions about Films and Books.

I have always loved the English Language and Literature, these were my favourite subjects at school.
In Literature you can learn a lot from the Characters in stories.

 Language is another great subject too and you can find many connections between the different Languages.
I have learnt so much from my great  Language studies course, Honours Degree, which I undertook with the OU (French with English) and I still continue to learn as I read 📚  but more for pleasure these days.

I try to find time in my busy schedule, that is much taken up with family caring commitments, to still try to read and study a little. 📚

I hope to continue to be a Study Buddy, as I share tips with with other students and listen to what they have to say, about what they are learning. It is beneficial for all learners to share their experiences.

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Jessica Shier

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Hi Gill! It's really nice that you're a study buddy. I love literature too, I did a-level at school. What classics have you read? 
Good luck with your study buddying. 

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Hi Jess,

Thank you for your comment. The classical books I liked and I have read were;

Jane Eyre- Bronte

Wuthering Heights

Emma - Jane Austen

Great Expectations

A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens

The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe- CS Lewis

Nineteen Eighty-Four- George Orwell

Animal Farm

George Orwell

Alice in Wonderland- Lewis Carol

The little Prince (in English and  French)  Antoine de Saint- Exupery.

Agatha Christie's

The investigations of Hercule Poirot (in English and French)

And  some I can't even remember anymore! lol!

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Good Luck with your studies. I hope you do well!

Gill

Jessica Shier

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I've read some of those. My favourite was Wuthering Heights. I didn't give the school copy back 😲. It lasted years. I read it many times. 
I also like Phantom of the Opera. 

I read 1984 and Animal Farm years ago. 

I've finished offically studying for now. I will see what happens going forward to see if I will do any more. I still study for myself in my own time. 

Did you save your tree in your garden that someone wanted to cut down?

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Well done with your reading. Some books are like old friends that you can come back to them again!

Unfortunately,  I was unable to save the tree. The new neighbours took matters into their own hands. However, we plan to plant another tree on the far side of the garden!

🌳🌲

Design Museum

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Hi Gillian,

It's so lovely to read your post; it reminds me of how I fell in love with the OU 16 years ago. Actually, I started my first module in 2002 and came back a bit later! You're so right about leaning with a buddy and learning in a supportive community. We need to be reminded that when I think the OU coined the term 'Social Learning' online, they meant something like this amongst like-minded people with some ethics and a desire to support each other, rather than the boxing ring in public of 'The Socials'.

I lost count of the Open Courses I've done. And having completed my OU degree and added the other two modules from my course just for the fun of it.

I'll keep posting in this Student Arena 'til they kick me off (if they dare).

Take care. 

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Hi Jonathan,

Thank you. Nice to hear from you again!